Crash ruins Moffatt's medal chance

IN the blink of an eye Woolgoolga triathlete Emma Moffatt went from being a medal contender in the Olympics to a supporter of her Australian teammates.

The Beijing bronze medalist had spent the past four years of her life training for the Olympics but alll the hard work and sacrifice counted for nought after Moffatt was forced out of the race after slipping on a corner near Buckingham Palace on the first lap of the bike leg.

At the time Moffatt was in the lead group and looking a strong chance of claiming another medal.

The 27 year-old could not go on and was left with a large bruise and swelling on her hip.

Head coach Shaun Stephens agreed the two-time world champion would've been a medal threat had she not crashed.

"I truly believe she would've been a real contender and have been there with Erin (Densahm)," Stephens said.

More often than not the elite triathletes compete in major cities and know that wet conditions creates oily conditions on the road during the bike leg.

Stephens added Moffatt had identified the corner as dangerous after the test event on the same course last year.

"It was a tricky turn and there was talk about whether it was dangerous but I don't think it was," he said.